MODERN LIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 285, 2 December 1938, Page 4

MODERN LIGHTS.

AIDS TO SHIPPING.

RADIO BEARING EQUIPMENT.

NEW ZEALAND'S PROGRESS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day.

A great advance has been made within the last few years in the aids to navigation around the coast of New Zealand, and the progressive programme which was originally outlined by the Hon. P. Fraser. Minister of Marine, is now approaching completion. A number of the most important lighthouses are being provided with equipment for sending out radio signals which will give bearings to ships, while old-fashioned oil lamps are giving place to the more brilliant electric light. At Cape Campbell in the South Island, where an electric light has been installed, a noticeable improvement in visibility has been reported by shipmasters. Another advantage of electritication is that, so far as the light is concerned, there is 110 need to maintain a continuous all-night watch, as j was the case where oil lamps had to be j c.wefully tended, and the mechanism for jthe occulting system regularly wound up. Aid to Fast 'Services. Radio bearings from leading points around the coast are simplifying the problem of making a safe landfall under conditions of bad visibility. This has an important bearing on the maintenance of passenger schedules by fast ships now serving New Zealand from overseas. They approach the coast, aided by radio direction signals, and lose no time in safely ascertaining their position in relation to the land.

At the most northern point of the Dominion, Cape Maria lighthouse provides guidance for many ships approaching from Australia. From this lighthouse radio signals are sent out oil request, the signal being a repetition of the letter "J" in Morse. Cape Maria light is in an isolated position, very difficult of access, and the Minister of Marine has under consideration a proposal to move it to Cape Reinga, which is on the mainland. A Public Works party is carrying out surveys to locate a road, and when its report is complete a final decision will be made. Cape Reinga is on a more northerly point than the old lighthouse, and if a change is made an automatic light will be placed on Cape Maria for the use of shipping, which comes up the West Coast. Cuvler and Moko Hinau. C'uvier Island and Moko Hinau Island lights are important directional points for shipping approaching New Zealand from Panama and other Pacific ports, and it is intended to provide l>oth with radio directional signals which will be operated regularly throughout the 24 hour* of the day. The Government lighthouse tender Matai landed the material for the buildings on both islands during {September, and a working party has almost completed the construction of C'uvier. and will shortly transfer to Moko Hinau. When the Matai makes her next trip to these ]>oints in February, she will land the radio directional signal equipment. The safe navigation of Cook Strait has been greatly facilitated by the improvements which have been made, while" more' are in prospect. Baring Head light is now electric, and its radio directional service is at work at least twice in every hour, while under bad conditions and during the hours of darkness, the signals are made every six minutes. Cape Campbell has a similar service, the whole equipment being electric. Stephens Island lighthouse is in the transformation stage..The buildings are completed, and the,engines for generating electricity are being installed, and it is expected that the light will be electrified and that the radio directional signals will operate next January. The Brothers Light. At the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound the Hi others lighthouse is an important guide to navigators. The staff of keepers has. recently been provided with a radio telephone, giving communication wiili Wellington—a great advance on the former method of sending messages to the mainland by means of signals to passing ships, which were asked to forward the information. The Minister of Marine states that whew tbe present programme is completed, the next important situation for a radio beacon which probably will receive attention, is Puysegur Point, on the south-west extremity of the Dominion. It is a much-used landfall for vessels on the Melbourne-Bluff route, and the intention is to provide electric lighting as well as the radio directional signals. FAIRCHILD ROCK DANGER. LIGHTED BUOT ON ORDER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The navigation of Foveaux Strait, particularly in heavy weather, will be greatly, facilitated by an improvement which is to be made by the Marine Department. The Minister of Marine, the Hon. P. Fraser. said to-day that a heavy buoy, with automatic lighting equipment, was to be installed to mark the position of Faircliild Rock, which is in the fairway of Foveaux Strait. The equipment, he said, had been on order for some months and was due to arrive shortly." The Bluff Harbour Board's tug is to be specially fitted to lay the heavy moorings and attend to the maintenance of the buoy, and the board's staff will be responsible for periodical renewal of the gas supply for the automatic light. Fairchild Rock is situated between Ruapuke Island and the Waipapapa light on the mainland.